Multiple-jig foaming apparatus and relative foaming method

Abstract

A foaming method and apparatus for products comprisinga frame (T) on which a first containment jig mould (1) is supported,at least one foaming unit, anda loading trolley (20) provided with a controlled conveyor (21) for transferring said components from an inlet line (Li) inside said containment jig (1), wherein it includesat least a second containment jig (10) arranged above said first containment jig (1) constrained to the same fixed frame (T),a removal trolley (30) arranged on the side opposite said loading trolley (20) with respect to said containment jigs (1, 10), between said containment jigs (1, 10) and an outlet line (Lu), whereinsaid loading trolley (20) and removal trolley (30) are vertically movable, by means of respective controlled lifts (22, 32), between a lower position and one or more service positions in which they are arranged adjacent to said jigs (1, 10).

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A foaming apparatus (S) for products having sandwiched components, comprising:
 a fixed frame (T) on which a first containment jig ( 1 ) is supported, 
 at least one foaming unit, and 
 a loading trolley ( 20 ) provided with a controlled conveyor ( 21 ) for transferring said components from an inlet line (Li) inside said containment jig ( 1 ), and further including 
 at least a second containment jig ( 10 ) arranged above said first containment jig ( 1 ) constrained to the same fixed frame (T), 
 a removal trolley ( 30 ) arranged on the side opposite said loading trolley ( 20 ) with respect to said containment jigs ( 1 ,  10 ), between said containment jigs ( 1 ,  10 ) and an outlet line (Lu), characterized in that 
 said loading trolley ( 20 ) and removal trolley ( 30 ) are vertically independently movable on said fixed frame (T), by means of respective controlled lifters ( 22 ,  32 ), between a lower position and one or more service positions in which they are arranged adjacent to an inlet and outlet side of said jigs ( 1 ,  10 ) respectively. 
 
     
     
       2. The foaming apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein said jigs ( 1 ,  10 ) are mounted on said frame (T) on which parallel vertical guides ( 22   a ) are also arranged along which said vertically mounted trolleys ( 20 ,  30 ) slide. 
     
     
       3. The foaming apparatus according to  claim 2 , wherein each of said jigs ( 1 ,  10 ) comprises a first external portion ( 1   a ) of said jig and a second mutually approachable internal male portion ( 1   b ) of said jig. 
     
     
       4. The foaming apparatus according to  claim 3 , wherein said first external portion ( 1   a ) and/or said second internal male portion ( 1   b ) are movably mounted along vertical guides (T G1 , T G2 ) integral with said frame (T). 
     
     
       5. The foaming apparatus according to  claim 3 , wherein said second internal male portion ( 1   b ) is arranged above said respective first external portion ( 1   a ). 
     
     
       6. The foaming apparatus according to  claim 5 , wherein said second internal male portion ( 1   b ) is provided with a main lid body ( 10 ′), rotatably mounted according to a horizontal rotation axis (X-X, Y-Y), provided with two different male elements (M) placed on two opposite parts of a plane of symmetry passing through said horizontal rotation axis (X-X, Y-Y). 
     
     
       7. The foaming apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein said foaming unit has an injector ( 100 ) mounted integral with one of said vertically movable mounted trolleys ( 20 ,  30 ). 
     
     
       8. The foaming apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein said removal trolley ( 30 ) is also provided with a respective controlled conveyor ( 31 ). 
     
     
       9. A method for foaming cabinets of household appliances, the method comprising the steps of:
 coupling together a household appliance shell and a cabinet to obtain a product and closing said product in a containment jig ( 1 ,  10 ), 
 injecting expandable insulating material into a gap between said household appliance shell and cabinet of said product by means of a foaming unit, 
 allowing said expandable insulating material to expand before reopening said containment jig ( 1 ,  10 ) and expelling said product, 
 wherein the method is performed in an apparatus according to  claim 1 , in that said step of allowing the insulating material to expand in a containment jig ( 1 ) occurs while said steps of closing said product and injecting occur on a further household appliance shell and cabinet housed in a second containment jig ( 10 ) arranged above or below the first, said first ( 1 ) and second ( 10 ) containment jig being served by a loading trolley ( 20 ) and a removal trolley ( 30 ) opposite each other, with respect to said jigs ( 1 ,  10 ), which are vertically independently movable.